Wrestlers end regular season with dual loss

The Mountain Home Tigers wrestling squad closed out their dual match season last Thursday with a 39-26 loss to Emmett during Senior Night in Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium.

The Tigers picked up five wins on the night, including Jaime Ibarra, who won by a pin in the 113-pound weight class along with Austin Clark in the 160.

Winning by major decisions were Aerial Groene at 106 with a 9-1 result and Ryan Goldsby in the 145-pound class with a 11-2 decision. Meanwhile, Michael Gordon won by forfeit in the 285-pound weight class.

The Tigers dropped eight matches on the night. Losing by decisions were Nick Cruz at 138 pounds, Jeff Checketts at 182 and Solomon Chung-Hee in the 220. Losing by pins were Jordan Pendleton in the 126, Tanner Sessions at 132, Charlie Shoemaker in the 152, Josh Deal at 170 and Jon Ryan in the 195.

Mountain Home and Emmett double-forfeited in the 98- and 120-pound weight classes.

"We didn't come out with the intensity I expected us to have. We were a bit flat," said Tigers wrestling coach Lynn Knudson regarding the Emmett match.

The Tigers will take 28 wrestlers to the District III 4A Wrestling Tournament at Caldwell this Thursday and Friday. Mountain Home has six wrestlers seeded for the tournament.

Seeded third are Aerial Groene at 106 pounds and Jon Ryan at 220. Levi Abrahamson is seeded fourth at 138 pounds. Seeded fifth are Josh Saporta at 106 pounds, Tanner Sessions at 132 and Ryan Goldsby at 145 pounds.

"We're looking for good things from our wrestlers at district," Knudson said. "The top five in each weight class will advance to state, and we hope to qualify several."